Hudson County men charged with theft, attempt to run over police officer with SUV, reports say

From left: Horacio Llerena Martinez and Carlos Toirac-Almira make their first court appearance in Central Judicial Processing via video link from the Hudson County Jail in Kearny, December 10, 2012. (Sarah Nathan/The Jersey Journal)Sarah Nathan/ The Jersey Journal

A Union City and Jersey City man have been charged with attempting to steal a freight truck filled with men's T-shirts and aggravated assault when they tried to run over a police officer, according to police reports.

According to Sgt. Bronson Jusino with the North Bergen Police Department , Horacio Llerena Martinez, 52, of Union City and Carlos Toirac-Almira, 34, of Jersey City, were arrested on Dec. 8 when they attempted to steal a white freight truck with a tractor trailer attached on Dell Avenue.

When a police officer arrived on the scene with the owner of the truck, Llerena and Almira attempted to injure the officer and the truck's owner by reversing at a high rate of speed in a gold 1997 Nissan Pathfinder.

After repeated commands to stop the vehicle, Llerena “quickly jammed on the brakes” and Almira attempted to flee the scene by running southbound on Dell Avenue. Almira was apprehended by another police officer approximately a block away from the scene, according to Jusino.

With the aid of a Spanish interpreter, Llerena and Almira made their first court appearance today in Central Judicial Processing in Jersey City via video link from the Hudson County jail in Kearny.

Almira was found in possession of numerous burgulary tools including a hammer, work gloves, a knife and master keys, police said.

Llerena was charged with aggravated assault, theft and possession of a weapon and his bail was set at $40,000 cash or bond.

Almira was charged with aggravated assault, alluding police, theft, possession of a tool designed for committing theft and possession of a weapon. His bail was set at $35,00 cash or bond.

Since the Nissan Pathfinder was used in the assault, it has been identified as a weapon according to court documents.